essay

Biocultural adaptations of the high altitude Sherpas of Nepal

people of south asia : the biological anthropology of india, pakistan, and nepal • New York • Published In 1984 • Pages: 387-420

By: Weitz, Charles A..

Abstract
Based on studies by other researchers and his own demographic survey, Weitz examines fertility, nutrition, disease, and mortality among the Sherpa in the Khumba region of the Nepal Himalayans. He also compares high altitude adaptation of the Khumba Sherpa with that of the Quechua from Andean Highlands. He compares lung volume, oxygen consumption, and the affects of hypoxia on fertility between the two populations. The Sherpa have a smaller lung capacity than the Quechua, although oxygen consumption is similar between the two groups, which suggests that humans adapt differently to high altitude environments. Assuming that hypoxia negatively affects fertility, the lower birth weight of Sherpa newborns compared to Quechua babies suggests that the latter are better adapted to higher altitudes.
Subjects
Anthropometry
Ontogenetic data
Nutrition
Physiological data
Birth statistics
Morbidity
culture
Sherpa
HRAF PubDate
2004
Region
Asia
Sub Region
Central Asia
Document Type
essay
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Ian Skoggard ; 2002
Field Date
1970-1971
Coverage Date
1967-1974
Coverage Place
Khumba region, Nepal
Notes
Charles A. Weitz
Includes bibliographical references (p. 417-420)
LCCN
83027058
LCSH
Sherpa (Nepalese people)